&w=3840&q=100)
German MPs to vote again for Chancellor after Merz loses first ballot
Merz needed a majority of 316 out of 630 votes in a secret ballot but only received 310 votes well short of the 328 seats held by his coalition
AP Berlin
German lawmakers are set to vote on the next chancellor again on Tuesday afternoon, hours after Friedrich Merz failed to win the first round in parliament in a historic defeat.
Merz, the conservative leader, had been expected to smoothly win the vote to become Germany's 10th chancellor since World War II. A candidate for chancellor has never failed to win on the first ballot in post-war Germany.
Merz needed a majority of 316 out of 630 votes in a secret ballot but only received 310 votes well short of the 328 seats held by his coalition.
The lower house of parliament has 14 days to elect a candidate with an absolute majority.
Merz can run again, but other lawmakers can also throw their hat in the ring.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
Agriculture output rises 40% in 10 years, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said agriculture production in the country increased by 40 per cent in the last 10 years and that the sector saw growth rate of 5.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024-25 financial year. Chouhan, who attended events here as part of the Central government's 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' , said even a one-two per cent growth in agriculture is considered big in the world. Monday (June 9) is a historic day as it marks the first anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in his third tenure, he said. The year has been full of achievements, he added. "If I see from the agriculture perspective, it is the impact of PM Modi's vision, policies and programmes that agriculture growth rate was 5.4 per cent in the fourth quarter," he told reporters. The country has set new records in the production of wheat, paddy, soya bean, groundnut and others and the storehouses for grain are full, he said. "In the last 10 years, we have increased (agriculture) production by 40 per cent. There is no shortage of food grains and India is exporting to other countries," he said. He congratulated PM Modi, farmers and scientists on the record food production. Addressing a gathering as part of the Abhiyan, Chouhan said he had a meeting with officials during the recent India-Pakistan conflict to take stock of food grains. He said he was told that the warehouses are full and there is no cause for worry even if the conflict prolongs. He emphasised ensuring food security, increasing farmers' income, making available nutritious food and safeguarding soil health. Observing that agriculture scientists are being encouraged to interact with farmers, he said 2,170 scientific teams are visiting villages across the country. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Russia, Ukraine swap first prisoners in large-scale exchange
Kyiv, Jun 09, 2025 -Russia and Ukraine on Monday swapped a first group of captured soldiers -- part of an agreement reached during peace talks that appeared to be in doubt over the weekend. The deal to exchange prisoners of war and repatriate the bodies of killed fighters was the only concrete agreement reached at the talks, which have failed to lead to a breakthrough towards ending the three-year war. Progress has stalled. Russia has issued tough conditions for halting its invasion and has repeatedly rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo "Today an exchange began, which will continue in several stages over the coming days," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media. He posted images of soldiers draped in Ukrainian flags, cheering and hugging. Live Events "Among those we are bringing back now are the wounded, the severely wounded, and those under the age of 25," he added. Russia's defence ministry also confirmed the swap was part of "agreements reached on 2 June in Istanbul". Neither side said how many prisoners were released. After the talks in Istanbul, both said it would involve more than 1,000 captured soldiers, making it the largest exchange of the three-year war. The swap itself had appeared in jeopardy over the weekend, when Moscow and Kyiv traded accusations of delaying and thwarting the planned exchange. Zelensky accused Russia on Sunday of playing a "dirty, political game" and of not sticking to the agreed parameters -- to free all captured soldiers that are sick, wounded or under the age of 25. Russia said Kyiv was refusing to take back bodies of dead soldiers, 1,200 of which it said were waiting in refrigerated trucks near the border. Talks 'pointless' Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine triggered the biggest European conflict since World War II, forced millions to flee their homes and decimated much of eastern and southern Ukraine. Pressed by US President Donald Trump to end the conflict, the two sides have opened direct negotiations for the first time in more than three years in search of an agreement. But they appear as far apart as ever from an agreement. In Istanbul on June 2, Russia demanded Ukraine withdraw its forces from areas still under its control, recognise Moscow's annexation of five Ukrainian regions and renounce all Western military support. Kyiv is seeking a full ceasefire and a summit between Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump to try to break the impasse. While welcoming POW exchanges, Zelensky said last week said it was "pointless" to hold further talks with the current Russian delegation -- who he previously dismissed as "empty heads" -- since they could not agree to a ceasefire. Meanwhile fighting on the front lines and in the skies has intensified. Russia said on Sunday its troops had crossed into Ukraine's industrial Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time in its campaign -- a potentially key advance given that Moscow has not put forward a territorial claim to that region. war And Moscow launched a record 479 drones at Ukraine overnight, Kyiv's air force said on Monday. The Ukrainian mayor of the western city of Rivne, Oleksandr Tretyak, called it "the largest attack" on the region since the start of the war. Russia said it had targeted an airfield near the village of Dubno in the Rivne region. It called the attack "one of the retaliatory strikes" for a brazen drone attack by Ukraine on June 1 against Russian military jets stationed at air bases thousands of kilometres (miles) behind the front line. Kyiv also claimed responsibility for an attack on a Russian electronics factory overnight, saying it manufactured parts for drones. Russian officials said the site had been forced to temporarily suspend production after a Ukrainian drone attack.
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Indian Express
In a time of conflict and climate change, the UN badly needs a reset
Written by Faraz Rupani Conflict levels are at an all-time high since the end of World War II — which had led to an estimated 70-85 million deaths, primarily civilians — with 56 conflicts and 92 countries engaged beyond their borders. In 2024 alone, over 233,000 people were killed in conflicts, and more than 120 million people were displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, and human rights violations. The economic impact of violence was $19.3 trillion in 2023, equivalent to 13.5 per cent of the global GDP, straining public finances, deterring foreign investments in conflict-affected regions, and leading to inflationary pressure due to supply chain disruptions. Conflicts are not only destabilising economies, but they are also quietly accelerating another crisis: Climate change. Global carbon dioxide emissions are projected to have reached 41.6 gigatonnes in 2024 compared to 40.6 gigatonnes in 2023, and the rise is expected to continue in the coming years as well. Estimates reveal that the total global carbon footprint from the military stands at approximately 5.5 per cent, making it the fourth-largest emitter if the military were considered a separate country. The military emission figures do not account for emissions from warfighting, such as damage to ecosystems, reconstruction, infrastructure damage, fires, and other damages caused by conflicts. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, total carbon dioxide emissions have reached 230 million tonnes, equal to the combined emissions of Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Emissions from landscape fires due to the conflict reached 49 million tonnes. Researchers have assessed that more than 150,000 hectares of deciduous and coniferous forests have been burnt due to war, dampening the ability of forests to act as carbon sinks. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has also recorded significant emissions. Only limited data available for the first 120 days of direct war activities have led to 420,265–652,552 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) emissions, exceeding the annual emissions of 26 individual countries. The global uncertainty due to conflicts is constraining progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). About 1.1 billion people across 112 countries in the world live in poverty, of which 218 million live in conflict-affected countries. In Yemen, after eight years of conflict, only 54 per cent of health facilities are fully functioning. In Sudan, 15 million people were unable to access water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in 2023. The conflict in northeastern Nigeria caused a cumulative loss of $91.2–$112.8 billion from 2008 to 2021, impacting its economy. The effectiveness of the UN, therefore, in preventing crises is under intense scrutiny. The organisation was formed in 1945 after World War II; the huge loss of life, devastating economic and social consequences forced nations to think of a mechanism for lasting peace. Can it still uphold its four pillars — peace and security, human rights, rule of law and development — in an era where global crises are at an all-time high, or has it become an outdated institution struggling to adapt to modern global realities? Despite what critics say, the UN has had significant achievements. It played a crucial role in facilitating the Paris Agreement 2015, which remains a crucial framework for addressing climate change. It established the World Food Programme, which runs the most significant food assistance and life-saving relief in emergencies around the globe. The UN and its affiliate organisations have supported conflict-affected developing nations, helping them rebuild governance and infrastructure. For example, in post-war Liberia, the UNDP supported the economy by investing in entrepreneurship programmes and infrastructure development, aiding the country in transitioning towards stability. UN peacekeeping missions have helped countries develop policies and strengthen institutional capacity and leadership skills. They have also passed resolutions highlighting the environmental impact of peace operations, such as good stewardship of resources and expanding the usage of renewable energy. An empirical study presented a positive impact of UN peace missions on the environmental quality in host nations due to a multi-dimensional approach, and ignoring environmental needs in conflict regions could complicate the peace-building mission. A study in South Sudan has shown that peacekeeping military establishments improve both the actual and perceived sense of security, leading to economic revitalisation and improved household well-being. The UNDP's microfinance programmes also help local economies to restart trade activities. Still, there is a need for systemic reform. The UN relies on both financial and political commitment from its member states. However, its interventions have often reflected the interests of the most powerful nations rather than neutral enforcement of international law, as seen in the Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine conflicts, where countries exercised the power of veto, blocking resolutions passed by the assembly. While the UN advocates multilateralism and holds the right to sanction countries violating international agreements, major powers have used their vetoes to prevent such sanctions. The UN needs to start limiting the power of veto, and if any decision is vetoed, it should be reviewed by a nonpartisan panel acting as a transparent body that discloses the motivation and implications, forcing countries to act responsibly. Nations must adhere to international agreements supporting multilateralism and avoid using veto power purely for national gain. A rules-based order promotes global peace and stability in trade, investment, and economic growth. The UN Security Council must also reform its structure by expanding its permanent membership to include developing countries such as Brazil, India and South Africa to create a more balanced power structure. Smaller developing island states that are disproportionately affected by climate change also deserve representation. These reforms would promote a more democratic, transparent, and responsive UN through power decentralisation and reducing the dominance of robust economies. As per the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), reporting military emissions is voluntary, leading many countries to withhold emission data related to military activities. The UN must enforce mandatory disclosure of military emissions and set global decarbonisation targets for the defence sector. The UN has repeatedly raised the issue of underfunding. Underfunding affects peacekeeping operations, climate resilience programmes, and humanitarian aid. Member states, especially larger economies, must fulfil their financial obligations without any delays. Moreover, additional voluntary contributions must be encouraged to sustain development programmes in regions affected by climate change, conflict, and poverty. More important now is that the member states should operate behind the 'veil of ignorance' to make decisions rationally, without bias or self-interest, ensuring fairer outcomes for all. Along with structural and financial reforms, the UN needs a shift in mindset towards collective fairness. The writer works as an Economist at the WOTR Center for Resilience Studies (W-CReS), where he focus on sustainable development, climate finance, rural resilience, and climate change
